Drip Emitter Asymmetric Flow Path and Exit Pool
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drip irrigation emitters face challenges in optimizing the arrangement of liquid cavities to achieve efficient flow regulation and pressure independence, particularly in maintaining a balance between flow path length and exit pool size, while accommodating pipe distortions and ensuring secure attachment to pipes.
Innovation Solution
The design features a drip irrigation emitter with an asymmetric arrangement of liquid cavities, where the flow path extends along one lateral edge and the exit pool is formed between this edge and another, allowing for a long flow path and a large pressure regulating chamber, with snap-fit engagement of members to ensure secure attachment and flexibility to accommodate pipe distortions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the flow restricting path is made longer to improve flow regulation, then the pressure regulating performance is improved, but the exit pool size is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The emitter employs an asymmetric arrangement where the flow restricting path is positioned along one lateral edge of the pipe, allowing the path to extend along the entire length of the pipe while the exit pool occupies the opposite side. This asymmetric configuration enables both the flow restricting path and exit pool to be maximized in size without compromising each other, resolving the contradiction between flow regulation performance and exit pool size.
2Reliability
If the pressure regulating chamber is made larger to improve pressure independence, then the flow rate stability is improved, but the available space for other components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure regulating chamber is positioned inside the pipe rather than outside, utilizing the internal volume of the pipe. This three-dimensional arrangement allows the chamber to be large enough for effective pressure regulation while not occupying additional external space, thus maintaining compact overall dimensions and leaving room for other components.
3Productivity
If the emitter is made asymmetric to optimize flow path arrangement, then the flow regulation efficiency is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The emitter is divided into separate modular components: the outer housing that attaches to the pipe, the flow restricting path, the pressure regulating chamber, and the exit pool. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using standard processes, and then assembled together. The asymmetric configuration is achieved through simple assembly of standardized parts rather than complex monolithic manufacturing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enables efficient flow regulation independent of inlet pressure and secure attachment to pipes, while compensating for pipe distortions, ensuring optimal performance and ease of installation.
Implementation Method 1
The membrane in response to increase in pressure of the entering liquid, may flex into the pressure regulating chamber to restrict the flow of liquid exiting the outlet
Implementation Method 2
The flow restricting path is a high resistance flow channel along which pressure of liquid flowing through the emitter drops relatively rapidly with distance along the path
Data Source
AI summary
A drip irrigation emitter is provided extending between first and second longitudinal ends. The emitter has an outer side for attaching to a pipe that is laterally bound between first and second longitudinal edges. The outer side has a flow path and an exit pool, and at least a section of the flow path extends downstream along the first edge and at least a portion of the exit pool is formed between the section of the flow path and the second edge.